Tier 2 restrictions start tomorrow; Local Restrictions Grants and more

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Covid-19: Update for businesses

Walthom Forest
business newsletter

In this issue...

Welcome to this week’s business newsletter. This issue features the following articles:

  • Tier 2 restrictions start tomorrow
  • Local Restrictions Grants
  • Deadlines for Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims
  • Gearing up for Small Business Saturday
  • Choose Local campaign scoops Comms award
  • Christmas shopping at the Digital Fashion Market weekender
  • Mayor announces fund to protect London's community spaces
  • Property advice available

Tier 2 restrictions start tomorrow

The Northcote, social distancing

The Government has announced that as England moves out of lockdown on 2 December, London will be subject to Tier 2 restrictions.

Tier 2 (High Alert) is for areas with higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some restrictions need to be in place. Under Tier 2, both essential and non-essential businesses are permitted to trade including;  indoor/outdoor markets, all retail outlets, hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, massage parlours and tanning salons.

Certain leisure and sporting facilities may also open such as gyms, sports courts and facilities, leisure centres, fitness and dance studios, golf courses, swimming pools, riding centres, outdoor playgrounds – subject to relevant social contact rules in each tier.  

Under Tier 2 businesses can only operate subject to certain conditions.

Further Government guidance can be found here

Local Restrictions Grants

Grant applications

Local Restriction Support Grants of up to £3,000 are now open for applications.

There are three grants available to certain businesses that:

  • are required to close during the period of national restrictions (5 Nov to 2 Dec);
  • did not have to close but were severely affected by the local tier 2 restrictions (17 Oct to 4 Nov);
  • were required to close from 23 March and have been told to remain closed, e.g. nightclubs, (in-line with Government guidance, these payments will cover only the period 1 Nov to 4 Nov).

These grants will be based on the rateable value of the business’s premises and a business may be eligible for each premises in which they operate.

Currently there are no grants available for businesses not liable for business rates. Any new grants will be announced in this newsletter.

Full details of these grants and info on how to apply

Deadlines for Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  logo

New deadlines have been announced for businesses to make claims for employees furloughed on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.   

There are now monthly deadlines for claims. Claims for periods starting on or after 1‌‌‌ ‌November must be submitted up to 14 calendar days after the month they relate to. The next deadline to make claims for employees furloughed in November is Monday 14‌‌‌ ‌December.

Businesses do not need to have benefited from the scheme before to claim for periods from 1‌‌‌ ‌November.

The UK Government will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,500 per month from 1 November. The Government will review the terms of the scheme in January.

Read full Government guidance on CJRS

Choose Local campaign scoops Comms award

choose local

The Council's Choose Local. Support Everyone. to inform and persuade residents of the value in spending money locally has won Silver at the Public Service Communications Awards.

Up against more than 100 other entries, the awards recognise innovative and impactful communications.

Businesses can get involved with the campaign by sharing their services on social media using the hashtag #chooselocalWF. 

Find out more about Choose Local

Find out more about The Public Service Comms awards

Gearing up for Small Business Saturday

Light up Leytonstone deer

Small Business Saturday is this weekend (5 December).

Local businesses and community groups across Waltham Forest have created virtual fairs, markets and Christmas events.

There will be several activities across Waltham Forest:

  • Leytonstone’s high streets will see projections and illuminations celebrating the festive season, Christmas lights and on 5 December will launch a virtual market (right).
  • Walthamstow Shop Independent has launched with an online map of local businesses in E17.
  • The first Chingford Virtual Christmas Market will support businesses in Chingford Mount
  • Highams Park has held its Christmas Fair and is now supporting a food hub crowdfunding campaign – a voucher scheme for children referred by food bank organisations to spend in Highams Park and Chingford shops.

Businesses are encouraged join in promotion of their own businesses on social media using #SmallBizSatUK @SmallBizSatUK.

Visit the Small Business Saturday website for more info

Christmas shopping at the Digital Fashion Market weekender

Digital Fashion MArket

Join the Waltham Forest Digital Fashion Market to buy bespoke, local fashion and textiles goods of all kinds.

It’s the best place to shop sustainably for anything from stocking stuffers and show-stopping gifts, to a fashionable favourite to add to your home collection.

Drop in during the weekend of 4-6 December to shop – it’s free and open to all. Keen to meet the designers? They’ll be online Friday from 3:30-5pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 1-3pm.

Sign up for the market here

Mayor announces fund to protect London's community spaces

virtual culture

The Mayor of London has announced a new £750,000 fund to help grassroots community organisations hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. These include cultural centres, social clubs, youth, education and other spaces that are locally-rooted and critical for supporting vulnerable groups.

It is particularly targeted at those most affected by the impact of Covid-19, including black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ communities, deaf and disabled people, and women’s-led groups.

Applications are open now until 3 Dec 2020 to apply for one-to-one support and grants up to £10,000.

Apply for funding here

Property advice available

London Business Hub recognise that SMEs and micro business owners now more than ever need access to specialist advice and support to help them have a level playing field when dealing/discussing with their commercial landlords on a range of property issues, some increasingly complex.

The Property Advice Service provides free support and advice to London-based businesses with issues such as signing their first lease or licence, renewing an existing one, rent disputes, considering going to arbitration and eviction.

Dates: Friday 4 December, Tuesday 12 January, Tuesday 9 February, Tuesday 9 March. Time: 10.30am-12.30pm

Find out more about the Property Advice Service 

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